On the heels of two very intriguing CDs ( and ), luminary bassist let loose another for 2000 on his own label. , a tribute of sorts to 's late uncle, features a quartet with on alto sax, blowing trumpet, and , 's compatriot since 1998, banging drums. While are familiar playing with the bassist (both have performed in his large ensembles), comprise the best rhythm section in jazz; together, they should go down in the history books as one of the most fruitful and interesting musical relationships this side of , and . The result is a strangely digestible and swinging affair of -influenced bop. That's not to say that is a straight-ahead recording, as burns on while plays colorful textures and his own blistering solos throughout. Meanwhile, probes his inventive open-framed progressions and joins together with for simultaneous swinging and exploring. All eight songs are crisply recorded originals that spotlight his interest in sound as a physical and emotional event, while proving that one does not have to play the freest of free jazz to be inventive. Most importantly, this collection also demonstrates that jazz can be propelled within its traditions as a stepping stone and not necessarily as a model to copy. 's brand of inside/outside compositions mark territory that proves the so-called avant is not that philosophically far away from the modern mainstream revivalists. ~ Sam Samuelson